Question

Define lung capacity, and give a specific example. (Note: There is a specific physiological definition; don't just define capacity in general terms.)

a) The total volume of air in the lungs after maximum inhalation; Inspiratory reserve volume
b) The maximum amount of air a person can exhale after taking the deepest breath possible; Vital capacity
c) The volume of air left in the lungs after maximum exhalation; Tidal volume
d) The additional air forcefully exhaled after a normal exhalation; Expiratory reserve volume

Answer 1

Lung capacity is a measurement of the air volume in the lungs, with vital capacity being the maximum amount of air exhaled after the deepest inhalation. For example, if tidal volume is 500 mL, inspiratory reserve volume 3000 mL, and expiratory reserve volume 1100 mL, then the vital capacity would be 4600 mL.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lung capacity refers to the various measurements related to the volume of air that the lungs can hold. Vital capacity (VC), for instance, is the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after taking the deepest breath possible. It is calculated as the sum of the expiratory reserve volume (ERV), tidal volume (TV), and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV). To give a specific example, if an individual has a tidal volume of 500 mL, an inspiratory reserve volume of 3000 mL, and an expiratory reserve volume of 1100 mL, their vital capacity would be 4600 mL (500 + 3000 + 1100).